Tuesday, September 30, 2008

I've been using Google Chrome since the date of it's release [find prior posts here]. I originally committed to using it exclusively for seven days, to run it through the paces and see if I felt it could be a suitable replacement for Firefox.

I have found many useful features in Google Chrome. It is the fastest browser I have ever used. It loads quickly, loads pages quickly, and uses very little screen real estate, making every web page you visit more viewable. It integrates well with Google Gears (in fact, Google Gears is part of the installation of Google Chrome). And it has a cool application feature that will create a shortcut to any web page as if it were an application, and will then launch that web page in a version of Chrome that uses even less screen real estate.

There were several things I found that I didn't like about Google Chrome. No extensions, which is a hard thing to adapt to for a long time Firefox devotee. It renders RSS feeds terribly (not at all, really), and makes subscribing in Google Reader just a bit cumbersome. Recently I discovered that the link to create a Google Calendar event from within Gmail does not work at all -- Chrome's Pop Up Blocker kills the process. And I have never been able to get Flash Video (i.e. YouTube) to play reliably within Google Chrome.

With such poor integration between Google's Chrome web browser and their own online services, in addition to the sacrifices I have had to make to switch from Firefox to Chrome, I have switched back. That's right, I am now using Firefox again. Google Chrome is just not ready for prime time. Based on everything that Google does, I'm sure that Google Chrome will improve. But, for now, I just can't settle for the unreliability and sacrifices required to make the switch.

That isn't to say that I didn't learn a few things from my time with Google Chrome. The first thing I did upon returning to Firefox was to trim out unneeded extensions, thus speeding up program start up a bit. I also removed the unneeded toolbars (Google Toolbar, Bookmarks Toolbar) to save screen real estate. The Bookmarks are all accessible from Google Bookmarks, requiring only one button on the toolbar, and the Google Toolbar buttons I most use (including Google Bookmarks) have been easily moved into the top toolbar in Firefox, where they take up no additional screen real estate [screenshot below].

I have already found myself feeling more comfortable with my old favorite, Firefox, even though it is still just a bit slower than Google Chrome. But, Firefox promises to have that fixed soon.

S: Speaking to the people, he went on, "Take care! Protect yourself against the least bit of greed. Life is not defined by what you have, even when you have a lot." ... "Be generous. Give to the poor. Get yourselves a bank that can't go bankrupt, a bank in heaven far from bankrobbers, safe from embezzlers, a bank you can bank on. It's obvious, isn't it? The place where your treasure is, is the place you will most want to be, and end up being.Luke 12:15,33-34 [MSG]

O: Earthly treasures are fleeting, and not worth the effort to obtain and protect them.

A: Economic crisis! Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, Lehman, Washington Mutual -- the failure of the banking industry. The stock market plunging over 700 points in one day. Mortgage foreclosures. The news today is rife with tales of financial woe and bail out. Finger pointing and blame gaming are the popular gestures. But why? Because we have allowed ourselves as a nation to become so obsessed with material possessions that we're willing to borrow outside our means to buy what we cannot afford to impress our neighbors. But what does God say? Put your treasures in Heaven. The things of Earth -- no matter how nice, no matter how expensive -- will all pass away. They will be left behind -- along with the mounting debt that purchased them -- when we move on from this place. But the treasures of the heart and of the soul will live with us forever in Eternity.

P: God, whatever the politicians cook up to bail us out of this economic downfall, help us to learn a valuable lesson about the true value of valuables.

Monday, September 29, 2008

My wife and I went this weekend to see the movie Fireproof, based upon the book of the same name by Eric Wilson. We don't get to go out to many movies, so it's always a special occasion -- and it takes a special movie -- for us to go out to the theater instead of watching on Pay-Per-View. We chose to see Fireproof in the theater because I felt strongly about supporting the author and the producers of this film because it carries what I feel is a critical message for couples.

Fireproof is about a Captain of the Albany (Georgia) Fire Department and his wife, who works as a Public Relations Representative at a hospital. They have let their careers and their selfish interests build a wall between them and they struggle with the same issues that many couples do. After seven years of marriage, they just don't see eye to eye on anything. As they start to give serious discussion (if you can actually call it "discussion") to the topic of divorce, Caleb (the husband, played by Growing Pains alum Kirk Cameron) confides in his father.

Caleb's father presents him with a copy of The Love Dare and challenges him to try to 40-day program before giving up on his marriage. Each day, Caleb is presented with something special he has to do for his wife. Each day, Caleb makes a half-hearted attempt, and each day his wife rebuffs him.

Fireproof is the story of a man and woman about to give up on love. It's the story of a father who loves his son enough to speak out for love. It's the story of a God who loves his children enough that He would do anything for them, including die. As Caleb learns the true meaning of love from the example of his Fathers, we see miracles unfold.

I haven't spoiled the entire movie for you, though there are a few minor spoilers above. There is no spoiling this movie, because I don't think any reviewer can do justice to the message that you can only receive by seeing the film (or, possibly, reading the book).

Fireproof is one of the best movies I have seen all year. Every couple, whether married, planning a marriage, or merely considering the future possibility of marriage, should see this film. You just might find yourself in tears (and deeper in love with your mate).

To learn more about why most of the actors in this movie volunteered to perform without pay, why churches donated houses for the fire scenes, why hospitals, fire departments, and train companies donated equipment to be used in the movie free of charge, watch this:

S: "Don't bargain with God. Be direct. Ask for what you need. This is not a cat-and-mouse, hide-and-seek game we're in. If your little boy asks for a serving of fish, do you scare him with a live snake on his plate? If your little girl asks for an egg, do you trick her with a spider? As bad as you are, you wouldn't think of such a thing—you're at least decent to your own children. And don't you think the Father who conceived you in love will give the Holy Spirit when you ask him?"Luke 11:10-13 [MSG]

O: The gift of Salvation is ours for the asking.

A: Why does God say that all we must do to be saved is ask? Simply believing in Christ as the Son of God who dies for our sins and inviting Him into our hearts is the ticket to Salvation. No tests involved. No preconditions. No cost to us whatsoever, because Jesus already paid the price for us. And it isn't a trick. When my son or daughter ask for something, like a special gift for their birthday, or something like that -- if it's in my power to give, I give it to them. I want my children to be happy and to know that their father loves them so much that he would do anything for them. Even die for them. Our Heavenly Father has that same kind of love for us. So much love that He came to Earth in the form of man and died for us, so that we might live forever. Salvation is the Father's gift to give, and all that we have to do is ask.

P: Father, Thank You for the greatest gift, and for being the perfect model of the kind of father I should be to my children.

Sunday, September 28, 2008

My wife and I had a pretty nice weekend. Several months ago, my wife purchased tickets to see Big Daddy Weave in concert at our old church in Terre Haute, Indiana. If you aren't familiar with Contemporary Christian bands, they frequently perform at churches. If you've ever been to a Contemporary Christian concert, you've seen that it's quite natural, really. And with seating for over 1,400 people, and a sanctuary (auditorium) built for acoustics, Maryland Community Church is perfect for concerts.

So with concert tickets in hand, we set off yesterday afternoon to drop the kids off with their grandparents (where they would spend the evening) and we started a much anticipated, long overdue date night. We dropped off the kids and headed to the Hampton Inn to check into our room, drop our bags, and go for a swim. We had the pool to ourselves for nearly an hour. It was very refreshing and relaxing.

We then got dressed for the concert and went to Tumbleweed for dinner. We have always enjoyed Tumbleweed, because we both can find the kind of food we enjoy there. My wife has authentic southwest fare and I have steak! And the steak is always cooked to perfection. I have never had any complaints about Tumbleweed, and last night's experience proved to be the best ever. We enjoyed it so much I left a very generous tip and asked for the Manager so I could comment on the exceptional food and service.

After the awesome dinner, we headed for the concert, where we arrived just in time (literally). My wife mistakenly read the ticket time as the time that doors opened. We pulled up right at 7pm and went inside to find the first song already under way.

First up was Jason Gray, described as Christian music's best kept secret. His music was great, and we actually purchased his newest album, All The Lovely Losers.

And finally, the headline band, Big Daddy Weave, took the stage. Among other things, we learned that Big Daddy is in fact not any specific member of the band, but rather the band as a whole. Go figure. When you see the band in this clip below, you'll understand why the lead singer, Mike, is frequently referred to as "Big Daddy" by his unknowing fans.

This morning, after breakfast and a little running around town, we went to see the new theatrical release of Fireproof, one of the best movies I have seen this year. I'll post a review here this week, in the meantime, here's a sample of this awesome movie:

After the movie, we picked up the kids (whom I missed very much), and returned home.

By the way, while I'm sharing pictures, here's another new one of my beautiful wife. One thing I learned from the movie: I definitely don't show my wife how much I appreciate her often enough. She is a wonderful woman, and I am living proof that God is graceful in the fact that she married me.

We had a wonderful weekend together, and I'm already looking forward to our next date night.

A: "Seize the day." For there may be no tomorrow. The coming of the Lord is close at hand. It will happen at a time when it is least expected, with no warning. Every day that we live could be our last. Now is the time to accept the gift of salvation. Now is the time to stand up and follow God. Now is the time to share the Word to all the Earth. Now could be the only time we have left. Seize the day.

P: Father, help me to spread Your Word in daily interactions with others. Show me the opportunities. Help me to seize the day, Lord.

Friday, September 26, 2008

The weekend is here. Wow, actually a weekend for a change. I mean, I'm actually off work both Saturday and Sunday this weekend. Wow! We started the weekend watching Senator John McCain put the smackdown on his Democrat rival (no matter how the liberal media spins it, Senator McCain was clearly the stronger candidate tonight).

Tomorrow, I'll be working on my bathroom remodel project in the morning, then heading out to my son's soccer game (and soccer pictures, too). Afterward, while my wife takes the kids to a birthday party, I'll be back to the bathroom remodel project (it's almost ready to lay the new flooring, paint, and install the new vanity).

Finally, after the birthday party is over and my wife and kids return home, we'll be packing up, loading up, and heading to Terre Haute, where the kids will spend the night with their grandparents while my wife and I have the remainder of the weekend to ourselves.

Why Terre Haute, you ask? Because my wife got us tickets to see Big Daddy Weave at Maryland Community Church (you can still get tickets at the door, and this is one church with that was built with acoustics in mind). I'm not much of a listener to mainstream music, but if you've been around here often, you probably know that I do a podcast featuring independent Christian music. The concert, I'm sure, will prove to be a great show.

And while we're away, getting a little time to ourselves, I'm hoping we can find a little time to take in the new movie, Fireproof. I think it promises to be a nice weekend for us. I'm eagerly looking forward to spending a little quality time with my wife, which is why you probably won't find me online much at all this weekend. I plan to leave the laptops at home and devote the weekend to being with the woman I love. Hope you have a great weekend.

I don't care how you slice it, McCain took Obama to school tonight in the first Presidential debate. McCain dominated while Obama was constantly on the defense, stammering, as usual, and sometimes appeared to be trying to run out the clock.

There will be great conjecture over the weekend about what exactly, if anything, Senator McCain accomplished by suspending his campaign and heading to Washington DC to work on an economic rescue plan. Well, I'll tell you what.

The current Senate session was scheduled to end today. Based on the behavior of the Democrat leadership in the Senate in the past, they would likely have adjourned the session without accomplishing anything toward economic recovery. That's the way Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid operate.

Enter Senator McCain. By making the call to suspend his campaign and heading to Washington DC, he put the Democrats on notice: there will be no debate, no Presidential politics, unless you commit to getting something done on the economy. Without an opponent, what could Obama do? Stand up on a stage in a town hall meeting talking bad about the Republican nominee while that very nominee was in Washington trying to hammer out an economic reform package? That's likely what would have happened. And that would have made it very clear to the American people who was truly ready to lead.

Instead, the Democrat leadership in the Senate -- likely either pressed by their Presidential nominee or simply out of partisan politics -- called an audible. Harry Reid took the podium this morning just before 11:00 am and announced that the Senate was going to get this done. He announced that they would stay in session until an economic recovery package was in place. They did this so that Senator McCain -- who had said he would only attend the debate if progress was being made toward a recovery package -- would be forced to attend the debate or look as if he was trying to dodge it.

Senator McCain has now announced that he will indeed attend the debate. He will face off with Barack Obama in Oxford, Mississippi, while Senate and House Leadership tries to come to an agreement on an economic recovery package. Senator McCain has achieved what he intended all along: to get the Democrat leaders of the Senate to extend the current session and not leave until the situation is resolved.

Who is the winner here? In my view, Senator McCain's tactics worked. He went to bat against Senate leadership for the American people, and hit a home run. We, the American people, have won, as the do-nothing Dems of the Senate have been forced to do something so their candidate could have his debate. And the best part is, Senator McCain has proven his leadership skills without having to speak a word during the economic conference last evening. Having been accused of sitting in the meeting in silence, Senator McCain accomplished what he needed most of all -- to get some action from the Senate.

Kudos, Mr. McCain, and thank you for standing up for America. Now all that's left is to make Obama regret the mere thought of tonight's debate.

The debate is on, and I make one prediction: unless the moderators are predisposed to making Obama look good and making Senator McCain look bad (which has proved to be the case throughout most of this campaign), Obama will come out of this wishing that he had agreed to postpone the debate.

Tune in this evening at 9 pm Eastern Time, because apparently this is the most important even facing the nation today.

S: "If you work the words into your life, you are like a smart carpenter who dug deep and laid the foundation of his house on bedrock. When the river burst its banks and crashed against the house, nothing could shake it; it was built to last. But if you just use my words in Bible studies and don't work them into your life, you are like a dumb carpenter who built a house but skipped the foundation. When the swollen river came crashing in, it collapsed like a house of cards. It was a total loss."Luke 6:48-49 [MSG]

O: Merely reading the Bible is not enough. We must put God's Word to work in our lives.

A: I make a serious attempt to Life Journal every day. To read the Bible and journal on what I've read. I look forward to going to church every Sunday. I produce a Christian music podcast. I want to be used as a tool by God. But do I really put the Word of God to work in my life? Do I let it change me? Do I come away from church, or my Life Journaling, with some life-changing epiphany? Sometimes I think I do, but do I really live out those changes? Not often enough.

P: Father, change me. Use me for Your will. Move me, bend me, and shape me. Make the change real in my life.

S: "How can I account for the people of this generation? They're like spoiled children complaining to their parents, 'We wanted to skip rope and you were always too tired; we wanted to talk but you were always too busy.' John the Baptizer came fasting and you called him crazy. The Son of Man came feasting and you called him a lush. Opinion polls don't count for much, do they? The proof of the pudding is in the eating."Luke 7:31-35 [MSG]

O: Words are cheap, meaningless. It is action that speaks volumes.

A: The Bible is by no means a political manual. It is the divinely inspired Word of God. Inspired as it is, I find that I am frequently led to one passage or another with very timely importance. As we draw closer and closer to the day that Americans will select their next President, we will hear lots of talk. Through debates and campaign ads and the talking heads of the mainstream media. Lots of talk. Lots of worthless words. It is the actions of the candidates that we must weigh the most heavily. They can talk about change. They can talk about hope. They can talk about putting country first. It's when [if] they show us change, show us hope, show us how they put their country first that we must stand up and take notice. Talk is cheap. The proof of the pudding is in the eating.

P: Father, as we come down to the wire, help us to not be influenced by the political rhetoric. Help us to see through the politics and select the man that will best lead this country into the future.

That article hits the newsstands in the October issue of SmartMoney magazine, with a picture of yours truly gracing the top half of page 82. Though the article only spends a half-paragraph (below) discussing my particular issue, the author did contact Toshiba on my behalf, which resulted in a brand new replacement computer being shipped to me with a full warranty. Can't complain about that.

That would include folks like Jeff Cole, a 40-year-old Indianapolis resident who says complaining to the BBB just put him back at square one. He had griped that a perennially broken laptop from Toshiba needed to be replaced, not just fixed, but the bureau was satisfied after the company offered yet another repair. "I felt abandoned by the BBB," says Cole. Indeed, he got a new computer only after SmartMoney contacted Toshiba, which now says it "regrets" not resolving the case sooner. The BBB has regrets too and says it was "atypical" for it to close the case when it did.

So there you have it. Thanks to SmartMoney for playing their part in the replacement of my Toshiba computer. Grab your copy of the magazine at newsstands now.

You've likely heard by now that Senator McCain has announced that he will suspend his Presidential campaign tomorrow for the purpose of returning to Washington to focus on a bill to prevent the greatest economic tragedy our country has faced since the Great Depression. In addition, he announced that he would not participate in the Presidential debate scheduled for Friday evening, because now is not a time for Presidential politics.

You likely also heard that Barack Obama at first was resistant to the idea of postponing Friday's debate. Barack Obama also said that he wouldn't be returning to Washington, but that he would be available if needed (Call me if you need me). And if you've been paying attention to the media, you may have heard that Obama now claims that he called Senator McCain this morning asking him to join him in releasing a "joint statement" about the economy.

This evening at 9pm Eastern Time, President Bush addressed the nation on the economy. During his address, he announced that he has invited Senators McCain and Obama to join him to discuss the current economic situation. This invitation, of course, forced Obama to change his plans and agree to return to Washington to meet with Senator McCain and President Bush.

So what's going on here? We've all heard about the collapse of Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and AIG. That's not my question. My question is, what's going on with the Presidential campaigns of the two major party candidates?

This is the way I see it:

Senator McCain is living his campaign slogan of Country First. He is standing up and putting his country first -- even above himself and his own political interests -- and suspending his Presidential campaign so that he can return to Washington and do the job for which he is currently paid -- being a United States Senator and working on legislation to get us out of this economic turmoil.

Barack Obama is doing what he has always done. He is attempting to do what he feels is the politically expedient thing to do. First, he resisted postponing the Presidential debate. Why? Because he believes that Americans should hear where the candidates stand. But when the politically expedient thing became accepting the President's invitation to meet in Washington to work on the situation, Obama changed his mind and agreed to do what he could not possibly refuse.

As an American, I want to know what the Presidential candidates stand for. I want to know it, and if they can show it to me instead of just sitting in some cushy studio and answering the same tired old questions with the same tired old answers, then that's what I want: action! Senator McCain has shown us where he stands -- for his country first. By dropping everything and returning to Washington to do his job, he has shown us what he stands for. Barack Obama has done the same thing -- shown us what he stands for: Obama. By holding his own priorities above those of the needs of his country, Obama has shown us exactly what we should have been able to see all along.

Senator McCain = Country First (and the actions to back that up).

Barack Obama = whatever it takes to make Obama look good at the moment.

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

S: "'That's when Michael, the great angel-prince, champion of your people, will step in. It will be a time of trouble, the worst trouble the world has ever seen. But your people will be saved from the trouble, every last one found written in the Book. Many who have been long dead and buried will wake up, some to eternal life, others to eternal shame. "'Men and women who have lived wisely and well will shine brilliantly, like the cloudless, star-strewn night skies. And those who put others on the right path to life will glow like stars forever. "'This is a confidential report, Daniel, for your eyes and ears only. Keep it secret. Put the book under lock and key until the end. In the interim there is going to be a lot of frantic running around, trying to figure out what's going on.' "As I, Daniel, took all this in, two figures appeared, one standing on this bank of the river and one on the other bank. One of them asked a third man who was dressed in linen and who straddled the river, 'How long is this astonishing story to go on?' "The man dressed in linen, who straddled the river, raised both hands to the skies. I heard him solemnly swear by the Eternal One that it would be a time, two times, and half a time, that when the oppressor of the holy people was brought down the story would be complete. "I heard all this plainly enough, but I didn't understand it. So I asked, 'Master, can you explain this to me?' "'Go on about your business, Daniel,' he said. 'The message is confidential and under lock and key until the end, until things are about to be wrapped up. The populace will be washed clean and made like new. But the wicked will just keep on being wicked, without a clue about what is happening. Those who live wisely and well will understand what's going on.' "From the time that the daily worship is banished from the Temple and the obscene desecration is set up in its place, there will be 1,290 days. "Blessed are those who patiently make it through the 1,335 days. "And you? Go about your business without fretting or worrying. Relax. When it's all over, you will be on your feet to receive your reward."Daniel 12 [MSG]

O: For 3-1/2 years the "oppressor" will rule the Earth during a time of Great Tribulation. ... when the oppressor of the holy people [is] brought down the story [will] be complete.

A: Long before the birth of Jesus Christ, before His death and resurrection, before His ascention into Heaven, before the revelation to John, there was Daniel. The book of Daniel is so full of End Times prophecy that it is often read in conjunction with the book of Revelation. God revealed to Daniel many of the events that will take place when the Antichrist makes his rise to power. It seems that much of what God revealed to Daniel has already begun to come ture. It is only a matter of time before the full prophecy is fulfilled.

P: Father, open our eyes that we might see the signs and choose wisely how we want to spend eternity.

Monday, September 22, 2008

S: When crowds of people came out for baptism because it was the popular thing to do, John exploded: "Brood of snakes! What do you think you're doing slithering down here to the river? Do you think a little water on your snakeskins is going to deflect God's judgment? It's your life that must change, not your skin. And don't think you can pull rank by claiming Abraham as 'father.' Being a child of Abraham is neither here nor there—children of Abraham are a dime a dozen. God can make children from stones if he wants. What counts is your life. Is it green and blossoming? Because if it's deadwood, it goes on the fire."Luke 3:7-9 [MSG]

O: Baptism by water only is not the key to Salvation.

A: What counts is your life. ... It is your life that must change, not your skin. The practice of immersion Baptism -- being dunked in water -- is a symbol. It is an act of confessing your belief in Jesus Christ as the Son of God, Savior, and Messiah. It is not by immersion (or any other form of) Baptism that we are saved. We are saved by believing in Jesus Christ. We are saved before we are Baptized. We are then (after receiving Salvation) Baptized for two reasons: 1) because Jesus did it and said that we should, too; 2) it is a tangible act of our confession of faith in Jesus Christ. Salvation without Baptism is still Salvation. Baptism without Salvation is like a bath without soap -- worthless.

P: Father, Thank You for Your Son, for giving us Baptism as the symbol of our sins being washed away by the blood of Christ.

So what have I discovered over the past week of tracking every waking minute. Most shockingly, probably, is that I spend more time in a week on myself than on anything else. Even more than work. Can that possibly be?

It sure doesn't feel like it, but more than a third of my week is spent on selfish endeavors, while a third is spent at work (or going to work), and a fourth of my week is spent with my family (or doing things for my family). That leaves less than 5% of my week devoted to my spiritual walk with God.

As tedious as it has been keeping track of everything I do for a full week, it sure is an eye opener. Not only do I need to spend more time with God, but also with my family. My priorities seem to be a bit out of whack.

Though it can be argued that the time I spend at work is actually in support of my family, I still need to move the needle away from self and toward God and Family. That must be my goal going forward.

Imagine an America, much like today's America. An America where not only can a child refuse to say the Pledge of Allegiance in school because of the phrase One Nation Under God, but where that child can also force the Pledge completely out of school because it forces someone else's religious belief upon him.

An America where it's more of a crime to protest outside of an abortion clinic than it is to stop the birth of a baby just before the head is delivered only to administer murder under the label of "partial birth abortion."

An American where religious tolerance is more important than religious freedom -- where it is considered a hate crime to speak of one's religion as the only way to God and to speak of one's Savior as "The Way, The Truth and The Life," while civil libertarians are more concerned with protecting the rights of religious fundamentalists who attacked our nation on 9/11 because their god supposedly demands it.

In Sinner, Ted Dekker has done just that: painted an all too real picture of America in the very near future, where religious tolerance becomes the law of the land, and loving God becomes a hate crime.

Continuing the epic saga of The Books of History Chronicles that began with the trilogy Black, Red, and White, Dekker spins his greatest tale yet, as we revisit the town of Paradise, Colorado, where evil once reigned in the person of Marsuvees Black, a western-style gunslinger whose mere existence was the product of a child's imagination, a pen, and one of the lost Books of History.

Sinner comes as much from today's headlines as from the mind of one of the best-selling Christian authors of all time. The Chavez administration, that of the first Hispanic-American ever elected to the White House. Muslim-Americans outnumbering whites. School systems where it is forbidden for students to discuss things like racial differences or religious beliefs. This is an America that could be just around the corner.

Imagine an America where a very liberal legislature, supported by a president of historic ethnicity, makes it a federal offense to believe in Jesus Christ as the Son of God, who came to earth and died for our sins so that we might spend eternity with Him. Imagine an America where house churches become the norm and must go underground because it is a crime to preach a sermon that teaches salvation through Jesus Christ.

In our world today, as we struggle in a war against religious extremists who think the only way to Heaven is to martyr themselves trying to kill the infidels, where more people seem to be concerned with treating those extremists fairly than with protecting our freedom, our borders, our very lives, it is not unimaginable that such a world as Ted Dekker depicts in Sinner could become our world today.

At this time of national politics, with two Presidential candidates duking it out in their battle for the White House, it is prudent to remember that the very world we know could be turned upside down in very short measure. If you read only one book this year -- and you should read it right away -- make that book Ted Dekker's Sinner. It is above and beyond all others the absolute best Ted Dekker book I have ever read (and I've read them all), and the best book I have read this year. You owe it to yourself to read this book, and to do so with an open mind and an open heart.

It could happen. It could happen in America. Unless we stand together against the biggest threat yet -- tolerance.

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